Milestones Regional Office for Central Asia June, 2010 April-June 2013

UNODC

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

“MAKE HEALTH YOUR ‘NEW HIGH’ IN LIFE, NOT DRUGS”

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects themes for the International Day and launches campaigns to raise aware-ness about the global drug problem. Health is the ongoing theme of the world drug campaign - "Make health your 'new high' in life, not drugs" Yesterday the Uzbek National Secu-rity Service (NSS) destroyed 1,537 kg of drugs. The destroyed drugs were seized by the law-enforcement agen-cies during activities to fight drug trafficking and were used as material evidence in criminal cases, court rul-ings of which already became effec-tive. The burnt narcotics included 198.2 kg of heroin, 760 kg of opium, 140.7 kg of hashish, 411 kg of mari-juana as well as a large amount of cannabis and psychotropic medicines in the form of pills and solutions.

Drugs were burnt in Tashkent in the presence of the UN, other in-ternational organizations and me-dia representatives.

June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in Trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in Trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in Trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States to create an international society free of drug abuse.States to create an international society free of drug abuse.States to create an international society free of drug abuse.States to create an international society free of drug abuse.

2 UNODC

Success story

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

Letter of Appreciation Letter of Appreciation Letter of Appreciation Letter of Appreciation To: UNODC Executive Director To: UNODC Executive Director To: UNODC Executive Director To: UNODC Executive Director Dear Yury Viktorovich,Dear Yury Viktorovich,Dear Yury Viktorovich,Dear Yury Viktorovich, On behalf of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, let me express our sincere gratitude to the United Na-tions Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the technical assis-tance provided to the penitentiary system of the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework of the UNODC project “Support to prison reform of the Kyrgyz Republic” funded by the European Union, and co-funded by the Governments of the United States of America, Swe-den and Turkey. The Government recognizes the project’s achievements as a best practice of cooperation with UNODC on prison reform during the last few years. I would like to specifically acknowledge the profes-sionalism shown by the project team, which ensured implementa-tion of all activities, including con-struction and refurbishment of key infrastructure in pilot prisons, in a satisfactory and timely manner. Thanks to the project, the legislative framework governing the peniten-tiary system has been significantly improved. Particularly noteworthy is the establishment of prison in-come generating activities, which has contributed to the employment of over 160 prisoners. Successful project implementation has also encouraged the Government of the

EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT PRISON SERVICE IN KYRGYZSTAN

On 22 and 23 May the final confer-ence of the EU/UNODC project ‘Support to Prison Reform in the ‘Support to Prison Reform in the ‘Support to Prison Reform in the ‘Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic’Kyrgyz Republic’Kyrgyz Republic’Kyrgyz Republic’ was held in Bish-kek. The project is funded by the European Union and co-financed by the governments of the United States of America, Sweden and Turkey. The conference was attended by 92 par-ticipants representing state institu-tions, civil society, international or-ganizations and the media. Project staff and national partners presented project results. Subse-quently, 4 working groups were formed to discuss the sustainability of the project’s results, and draft rec-ommendations for further reform of the Kyrgyz penitentiary system. These were discussed and included in a communiqué on the results of the final project conference. The com-muniqué reflects the positive evalua-tion of the project by national and international counterparts, both in terms of alignment with national priorities, sustainability of results and strength of partnerships and coordination mechanisms estab-lished within the framework of the project. Mr. Atakhanov, Deputy Prime Min-ister recognized the efforts made within the framework of the project to improve the legislative framework for prison reform, to develop profes-sional skills of prison staff, to im-prove prison conditions and to de-velop income generating activities.

As a result, new bath and laundry facilities have been opened in four prisons, and new production facilities have been created, such as a sewing workshop, bakery and soya milk production line. Prison staff has bene-fited from training pro-vided by the project and the work of vocational training schools in prisons has been

strengthened. With expertise pro-vided by the project, new legislative and normative documents have been adopted. The project has been im-plemented in line with national pri-orities and with tangible results. The main beneficiary of the project is the State Service on Execution of Punishments under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (Prison Ser-vice). “This project has provided valu-able support to the Prison Service”, said Zarylbek Rysaliev, Chairperson of the Prison Service. “Living condi-tions of more than 3000 detainees have been improved and employment opportunities provided to more than 160 prisoners through the establish-ment of new production facilities”, he added. Mr. Rysaliev noted that more than 36 normative acts and 100 internal prison service orders have been pre-pared with the support of the project during the past 2 years, including the National Strategy for the Develop-ment of the Penitentiary System 2012-2016. With the project’s facili-tation, the prison system has also benefited from tax cuts. For exam-ple, the prison system no longer has to devolve 50% of profits made by productive facilities in prisons to the state budget. “The project was implemented in close collaboration with the Prison Service and civil society, and serves as an ex-ample of effective partnership and cooperation”, noted Ambassador

Chantal Hebberecht, Head of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic. The conference participants formu-lated recommendations on follow up actions needed to advance prison reform in line with the National Strategy for the Development of the Prison System of the Kyrgyz Repub-lic for the years 2012-2016.

one of the reasons why victims of human trafficking and smuggled mi-grants are not always adequately as-sisted and protected in the region. The assessment findings laid the groundwork for developing measures on improving shelters and their qual-ity of services by building the capacity of social workers and shelter staff, and by raising theirs and other bene-ficiaries’ awareness on the issues at stake. Participants strengthened their skills in the area of assistance to victims of human trafficking and smuggled mi-grants, as well as in human rights based international and national anti-trafficking policy. The facilitation provided by the international experts from Moldova brought an exchange of good practices in the area of vic-tims’ assistance and protection, on the international level. The participants expressed great in-terest on issues related to the “burnout” syndrome and rehabilita-tion measures of service providers that would enable them to continue their work. Referral mechanisms and interagency cooperation and partner-ship with civil society were also high-lighted by the participants as other critical points to be addressed and strengthened in the near future. Similar workshops are planned to be held in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the period of July-September 2013.

Kyrgyz Republic to allocate signifi-cant funding for the further devel-opment of income generating ac-tivities within prison system. The project’s efforts have consid-erably helped advance prison re-form in the country, to improve sanitary conditions for over 3000 prisoners, and to bring prison con-ditions more in line with the re-quirements of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. Moreover, the project supported the drafting of a Na-tional Strategy for Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2012-2016, which has been approved by the Government of the Kyrgyz Repub-lic and outlines the main objectives and priorities for further prison reform. Based on the achievements of the project in providing technical assis-tance to the prison system, the Government of the Kyrgyz Repub-lic kindly requests UNODC to con-sider continuing its fruitful coop-eration with a possible new project and would like to recommend the further dissemination of the pro-ject’s results as a best practice.

Yours sincerely,Yours sincerely,Yours sincerely,Yours sincerely, Mr. Sh. Atakhanov Mr. Sh. Atakhanov Mr. Sh. Atakhanov Mr. Sh. Atakhanov

Vice Prime MinisterVice Prime MinisterVice Prime MinisterVice Prime Minister Kyrgyz RepublicKyrgyz RepublicKyrgyz RepublicKyrgyz Republic

3 UNODC

Workshop

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

On 28-29 May 2013, UNFPA Sub-regional Office in Central Asia and UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia conducted the joint national workshop "International standards "International standards "International standards "International standards to ensure the availability and quality to ensure the availability and quality to ensure the availability and quality to ensure the availability and quality of services to protect and support of services to protect and support of services to protect and support of services to protect and support victims of human trafficking and victims of human trafficking and victims of human trafficking and victims of human trafficking and smuggled migrants"smuggled migrants"smuggled migrants"smuggled migrants" in Dushanbe, the Republic of Tajikistan. This event was organized in the frame-work of the project “Strengthening the capacity of the Central Asian Republics to protect and assist vic-tims of human trafficking and smuggled migrants, especially women and children, in partnership with NGO and civil society actors” which is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the United States. The main goal of the workshop was to improve the quality and accessi-bility of social services for victims of human trafficking and smuggled migrants. According to the assess-ment conducted by the international experts of UNFPA in Central Asian countries, the absence of well-functioning identification systems and referral mechanisms represent

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND QUALITY OF SERVICES TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The participants noted the impor-tance of the closer interaction and cooperation among the law enforce-ment agencies by timely exchanging information, conducting interna-tional controlled delivery operations and other joint actions to combat illegal drug trafficking. The workshop participants also agreed on conduct-ing further expert researches by UNODC and CARICC.

4 UNODC

CARICC

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

analytical developments and most recent trends in combating illegal trafficking of Afghan opiates, in par-ticular, the current drug situation in the countries located on the North-ern Route, post-2014 scenarios and implications for the Central Asian counter-narcotics community as well as issues of the regional coop-eration, reports and findings of the Afghan Opiate Trade Monitoring Project of UNODC.

NORTHERN ROUTE OF AFGHAN OPIATES TRAFFICKING

The working meeting on the North-ern Route of Afghan opiates traffick-ing was held on 27-28 June 2013 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The meeting was organized by UNODC and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for com-bating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors (CARICC) within the framework of the Afghan Opiate Trade Monitoring Project with the support of the UNODC Re-gional Programme for Afghani-stan and neighboring countries. Heads of analytical units of the competent authorities of the Central Asian countries, Af-ghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, as well as rep-resentatives of the competent authorities of China, France, Germany, Turkey, UK, USA, and such regional and interna-tional organizations as EU/UNDP BOMCA Project, CSTO, OSCE and RATS of SCO attended the meeting. The meeting was organized in an informal format and pre-sented an opportunity for the participants to discuss the latest

5 UNODC

Cooperation

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

the Central Asian region, it was pro-posed to CARICC to explore the possibility of taking a role in the coordination and development of measures on overcoming this issue at the regional level. In its turn, the INTERPOL General Secretariat and INTERPOL National Central Bu-reau’s network (also in the light of the implementation of the Coopera-tion Agreement between CARICC and INTERPOL) are willing to pro-vide full support to combat methamphetamine trafficking. Thereby, CARICC will play a coor-dinating role in the region in coun-teracting illicit synthetic drugs traf-ficking, including methampheta-mine smuggled from Iran. For this purpose an analytical work file will be created for collecting and analysis of information on this issue and for organisation of joint operations in interception of illicit synthetic drugs and psychotropic substances.

REGIONAL WORKING MEETING ON “ICE TRAIL” OPERATION IN CARICC

On 11-12 June 2013, CARICC and Interpol with the support of UNODC held a regional working meeting “Ice Trail”, the aim of which was to discuss and share best practices on coordination efforts of the law-enforcement agencies of Central and South-East Asia in in-terception of synthetic drugs, in-cluding methamphetamine traf-ficked from Iran. Law-enforcement officers from the operational divi-sions of the CARICC member states, Australia, Belarus, Indonesia, Iran, Thailand and other interested coun-tries took part in the meeting. Operation “ICE TRAIL” had been conducted during almost 3 years by INTERPOL with the support of UNODC and World Customs Or-ganization. Due to the substantial cooperation among the participating countries significant results were achieved. In consideration of the spreading of the threat of metham-phetamine trafficking, including to

IMPROVING LEGAL ASSISTANCE PRACTICES IN MONEY LAUNDERING INVESTIGATIONS

On 25-27 June, UNODC conducted the regional workshop “Improving Mutual Legal Assistance Practices in Money-Laundering Investigations and Asset Forfeiture/Recovery” in Batumi, Georgia in the framework of the project “Strengthening ca-pacities of the GUAM Member States to cooperate at the national and regional levels in combating money-laundering as well as in seiz-ing and confiscating crime pro-ceeds”. It gathered representatives/heads of the Central Authorities, judges, prosecutors and investiga-tors from the GUAM Member States (Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova), AML/MLA practi-tioners from Israel, Poland, Switzer-land and USA as well as experts from Interpol and SELEC/SEEPAG. The workshop benefitted a lot from the contributions provided by some prominent AML/MLA practitioners including Mr. Yehuda Shaffer, Dep-uty State Attorney of Israel, Mr. Pascal Gossin, Head of MLA De-partment of Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland and Mr. Rafal Wozniak, Head of Asset Recovery Office of Poland. The participants of the workshop highly appreciated its good practical value that allowed to establish use-ful personal contacts for future pro-fessional cooperation and to receive practical tips on the ways to over-come obstacles to the effective MLA in AML investigations and asset recovery.

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

EXTRADITION: FACILITATING PROSECUTION, PROTECTING FROM PERSECUTION

Transnational organized crime tran-scends cultural, social, linguistic and geographical borders. The criminal networks forge bonds across borders as well as overcome cultural and linguistic differences. The criminals in one state flee to another to escape prosecution, exploiting domestic variations in the substantive and procedural laws of the states. In response, nations historically de-signed extradition as one form of international cooperation. Extradi-tion is an instrument that enables a state (Requesting State) to obtain custody of, and prosecute, a person who is accused or convicted of one or more criminal offences against the law of this state and who is located in another state (Requested State). In-ternational standards require the extradition process to be just but also efficient. Extradition must take place in strict accordance with the law. To strengthen the skills of judges and lawyers in Uzbekistan in applying the provisions of the domestic law regarding judicial review and appeal of the decision/resolution on extra-dition taken by the General Prosecu-tor or his deputy, the Regional Office for Central Asia of the United Na-

tions Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC ROCA), within the framework of its Global Le-gal Advi-sory Pro-gramme, and in co-operation with the Training Centre un-der the

Ministry of Justice and the General Prosecutor Office of Uzbekistan con-ducted two national training courses entitled ““““Implementation of Interna-Implementation of Interna-Implementation of Interna-Implementation of Interna-tional Legal Instruments on Extradi-tional Legal Instruments on Extradi-tional Legal Instruments on Extradi-tional Legal Instruments on Extradi-tion into National Legislation and tion into National Legislation and tion into National Legislation and tion into National Legislation and PracticePracticePracticePractice””””. The training courses were held consecutively from 21 through 23 May 2013 at the Training Centre of the Ministry of Justice in Tash-kent. The training programmes were de-signed to familiarize the trainees with both international, regional and national legal instruments, initiatives and tools in the area of extradition. The extradition casework practice was presented to the trainees from the standpoints of the criminal jus-tice practitioners involved in the process: prosecutors (UK, Ukraine, and France), judges (Russian Federa-tion, Uzbekistan) and lawyers (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and ECHR). The trainees were provided with an opportunity to learn best practices and lessons learned in dealing effec-tively with extradition requests to ensure swift and effective prosecu-tions overcoming geographic and legal boundaries, on one hand, and protection of human rights of those

subject to extradition, on the other. With a view to solidify the knowl-edge acquired and improve applica-tion skills, the trainees were asked to solve a practical case in the last ses-sion of the training courses. Overall, 113 trainees completed the courses, including 53 candidates for judges, 30 lawyers (from Tashkent and the regions), and 25 professors of the Training Centre. The prosecu-tors from the General Prosecutor Office’s International Department (including its Head) also attended the course. This gave them an op-portunity to discuss concrete cases with their counterparts from Russia, Ukraine, and the UK, as well as ex-perts from Interpol and the Euro-pean Court on Human Rights, who acted as trainers.

UNODC 6

Training

Note: Note: Note: Note: In September 2010, Uzbeki-

stan adopted amendments to the

Code of Criminal Procedure. A new

section entitled “International co-

operation in criminal matters” was

introduced. The amendments es-

tablished the grounds and proce-

dure for mutual legal assistance and

extradition that previously had not

been regulated by the law. Specifi-

cally, the Code has been supple-

mented with article 602 providing

for judicial review and appeal of the

decision/resolution on extradition

taken by the General Prosecutor or

his deputy. Moreover, in May 2012,

the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan

issued the Ruling “On certain issues

of international cooperation in civil

and criminal matters” to interpret,

among others, the abovementioned

provisions of the Code of Criminal

Procedure and facilitate their appli-

cation.

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

INTRODUCING GEOINFORMATION SYSTEMS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYTICAL ACTIVITIES

As part of the capacity building com-ponent of law enforcement bodies, analysts of Coordination and Analy-sis Unit (CAU) of the UNODC Re-gional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) delivered a specialized training on “ArcGIS 10.0: Basics in Working with Geoinformation Sys-tems” for the staff of law enforce-ment training centres/academies and agencies of Tajikistan. The training included participants from the Drug Control Agency, MoI Academy, MoI, Institute for Qualification im-

provement of State Customs Service and State Customs Service. The training aimed at strengthening skills in data handling and introduction of GIS system in a day-to-day activity of law enforcement bodies. During the interactive training participants expanded their knowledge on the main ArcGIS tools needed for map-ping of situational factors and ap-plied the gained skills for mapping of crime rate, heroin seizures and pointing individual seizures. Moreover, CAU analysts shared ex-perience with the participants on the quick ways of data processing and analysis of drug-related data, the use of GIS application in law enforce-ment activities. As a result of the training, partici-pants have improved their skills on quick processing of drug-related data in MS Excel, learnt the basics of ArcGIS 10, and became able to create simple thematic maps of drug sei-

zures/prices. In order to reinforce the skills in displaying data in maps, participants were recommended to continue self-exercising on ArcGIS. Participants were also informed that during the next advanced GIS training, planned for August 2013, they would be ex-amined to check their skills and would learn more advanced GIS mapping tools and teaching methods for training of their fellow col-leagues. All training materials were distrib-uted among participants, including ROCA geo databases that would al-low them to do self-mapping exer-cises. Upon completion of the training all participants were presented with certificates in a special closing cere-mony attended by the Deputy Direc-tor of the Drug Control Agency of Tajikistan.

UNODC 7

Drug and crime data

mapping

8 UNODC

Project activity

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

The Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) was established in January 2005 by the government of Afghani-stan, with support from UNODC and donor countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Bel-gium. The aim was to bring offend-ers of drug related crimes to justice quickly. It was created to fast-track major drug cases within Afghanistan. The Task Force is made up of key investigators, prosecutors and judges. It is based in Kabul but is also operative in the provinces. The purpose is to strengthen the institu-tional capacity to arrest, investigate and detain criminal offenders sus-pected and convicted of drug related crimes. In 2012 the CJTF Prosecu-tion Directorate successfully com-pleted the investigation and prosecu-tion of 588 serious narcotics and intoxicating drinks cases based on

coordinating body for the CJTF pro-gram, and is implementing activities in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Su-preme Court and Office of the At-torney General. One of the biggest challenges that the Ministry of Counter Narcotics has in developing the report is getting current and reliable data. The Ministry of Counter Narcotics currently recognizes that the CJTF is one of the best Afghan entities for providing reliable data/statistics that are coherent, current and useful for the Drug Report. Through this pro-ject, the CJTF’s capacity is rein-forced. It is encouraging that UNODC, with Canada’s financial support, is rein-forcing the work that is carried out under different activities of the CJTF.

SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION BETWEEN UNODC AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE OF AFGHANISTAN

the Law Against Intoxicating Drinks and Narcotics, which they received from CJTF Investigation and Labora-tory Department. Over the last few years the CJTF has worked in close cooperation with UNODC’s project “Drug law enforce-“Drug law enforce-“Drug law enforce-“Drug law enforce-ment systems for criminal intelligence ment systems for criminal intelligence ment systems for criminal intelligence ment systems for criminal intelligence collection, analysis and exchange”collection, analysis and exchange”collection, analysis and exchange”collection, analysis and exchange”, funded by the Canadian government. A number of intelligence analysis training courses of different levels for Task Forces staff were conducted by International Experts. IT equipment, including hardware, software and local area network were procured and installed. The project also provides continuous support and guidance to the Task Force members through a mentorship mechanism, which facili-tates advisory services. The Ministry of Counter Narcotics of Afghanistan is the main governmental

From March 5 through May 22, 2013 a series of drug dependence treat-ment trainings were conducted by UNODC in all the regions of Uz-bekistan. The main goal was to in-troduce an effective model of drug dependence treatment based on a holistic approach to reach the needs of drug users on a medical, psycho-logical and social level. A significant improvement in the quality of ser-vices was achieved as a result of these trainings. The resource center for this project (Tashkent city nar-colodical dispensary) provided posi-tive feedback, and the plan is to im-plement these trainings throughout the country. In total, 130 addiction professionals, including staff from the regional narcological dispensa-ries and district narcological cabinets serving rural population attended the 2 day training. The holistic model of narcological aid was pre-

sented to a wide range of addiction professionals. This model is based on the concept of continuity between the different treatment service com-ponents. Individual narcological aid planning was touched upon. This approach is gradual, multilevel, con-tinuous and long-term. Therapeutic interventions aim at readapting and resocializing drug dependants. The training’s participants learned about providing assistance to co-dependant family members in outpatient settings, in-cluding district narcological cabinets. An assessment of needs of the patients was used, as well as the “Addiction Severity Index”, in order to focus the train-ings and maximise their po-tential. Bases on the analysis of local conditions and functioning

narcological services, the national trainers provided the administration of these regional dispensaries with concrete recommendations. These included the expansion of types of medical and psychological services to drug users. A detailed plan covering the holistic model of narcological services was developed, discussed and approved by the chief narcolo-gists for each region.

EFFECTIVE DRUG DEPENDENCE TREATMENT

9 UNODC

Drug use prevention

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

At the beginning of the year, UNODC’s global project “Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS “Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS “Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS “Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS and crime among young people and crime among young people and crime among young people and crime among young people through family skills training pro-through family skills training pro-through family skills training pro-through family skills training pro-grammes in lowgrammes in lowgrammes in lowgrammes in low---- and middleand middleand middleand middle----income countries” income countries” income countries” income countries” was endorsed by the government of Uzbekistan for implementation in 2013. According to the project workplan, approved by the government, the project will be implemented in two cycles. In April-June 2013 the first imple-mentation cycle of the programme “Families and Schools To-gether” (FAST) was conducted in two pilot schools within the frame-work of the project. At the beginning of this cycle, 17 local trainers from pilot schools in the Tashkent city area (School №64 and School №324) were trained by international experts from Great Britain on con-ducting FAST sessions among fami-lies. After completing the training, local trainers held eight FAST ses-sions for pupils in 1st-2nd grade in pilot schools and their parents. In total, 40 families benefitted from the first cycle. Trainers, parents and chil-dren involved in the programme were eager to participate in FAST and provided positive feedback.

UZBEKISTAN JOINED UNODC’S FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING INITIATIVE

““““My son was disobedient before My son was disobedient before My son was disobedient before My son was disobedient before the programme. Now he listens to the programme. Now he listens to the programme. Now he listens to the programme. Now he listens to me and he has became more re-me and he has became more re-me and he has became more re-me and he has became more re-spectful to family membersspectful to family membersspectful to family membersspectful to family members ” .” .” .” . (Parent, School №64)

“One of the parents in our “One of the parents in our “One of the parents in our “One of the parents in our group had tears of happiness in group had tears of happiness in group had tears of happiness in group had tears of happiness in her eyes when her son served her her eyes when her son served her her eyes when her son served her her eyes when her son served her a meal. She said that he would a meal. She said that he would a meal. She said that he would a meal. She said that he would never do it at home. FAST never do it at home. FAST never do it at home. FAST never do it at home. FAST

helped all participants, includ-helped all participants, includ-helped all participants, includ-helped all participants, includ-ing trainers, to revalue relation-ing trainers, to revalue relation-ing trainers, to revalue relation-ing trainers, to revalue relation-ships with family members and ships with family members and ships with family members and ships with family members and bring positive changes”bring positive changes”bring positive changes”bring positive changes” .... (Trainer, School №324)

UNODC

HIV/AIDS

UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

10

Over the past decades, access to the HIV prevention and care service for injecting drug users has improved in the Central Asian countries. How-ever, the poor quality of service and unfavorable tendencies of generaliza-tion of the epidemic, such as the in-creasing rate of sexual transmission of HIV and HVB transmission through drug injection among males, are still the subjects for concern. Standardi-zation of HIV-related services through the development and updat-ing of the national guidelines and protocols/instructions/manuals/orders as well as the introduction of a complex/integrated service package are the priority areas in solving fore-going problems. The UNODC project “Effective HIV “Effective HIV “Effective HIV “Effective HIV prevention and care among vulner-prevention and care among vulner-prevention and care among vulner-prevention and care among vulner-able groups in Central Asia and East-able groups in Central Asia and East-able groups in Central Asia and East-able groups in Central Asia and East-ern Europe”ern Europe”ern Europe”ern Europe” funded by US govern-ment through CDC/PEPFAR, USAID

“FAST sessions were conducted with insight and enthusiasm in almost “FAST sessions were conducted with insight and enthusiasm in almost “FAST sessions were conducted with insight and enthusiasm in almost “FAST sessions were conducted with insight and enthusiasm in almost all the groups from the selected pilot schools. Both children and their par-all the groups from the selected pilot schools. Both children and their par-all the groups from the selected pilot schools. Both children and their par-all the groups from the selected pilot schools. Both children and their par-ents expressed interest in FAST. This programme can be implemented in ents expressed interest in FAST. This programme can be implemented in ents expressed interest in FAST. This programme can be implemented in ents expressed interest in FAST. This programme can be implemented in Uzbekistan with special consideration for our mentality, traditions, rich Uzbekistan with special consideration for our mentality, traditions, rich Uzbekistan with special consideration for our mentality, traditions, rich Uzbekistan with special consideration for our mentality, traditions, rich

culture and the history of our nation”culture and the history of our nation”culture and the history of our nation”culture and the history of our nation” .... (National expert, observer of the programme’s implementation )

“I liked FAST very much. I met “I liked FAST very much. I met “I liked FAST very much. I met “I liked FAST very much. I met new friends here. I don’t want new friends here. I don’t want new friends here. I don’t want new friends here. I don’t want

FAST to end”FAST to end”FAST to end”FAST to end”.... (Child, School №324)

During the 5th session (May 18th), two specialists on drug use preven-tion from the Tashkent Narcological Dispensary were invited to the pilot schools to discuss issues related to drug use with the parents. They asked questions related to drug and alcohol use and prevention methods for children and adolescents. On June 8th, the final 8th session (the graduation ceremony) was con-ducted in both pilot schools. Fami-lies in each school prepared a con-cert with children singing, dancing and giving small performances. The Deputy Minister of Public Education Mr. Abdugani Kholbekov awarded certificates of completion for FAST programmes to the families. Some families expressed regret that FAST had ended so quickly.

DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICE STANDARDS ON HIV PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

and OFID/OPEC is currently pro-viding technical assistance in the development and modernization of service standards on HIV preven-tion and treatment for drug users. Within the framework of this pro-ject, a regional tool (set of check-lists) for public health service and social protection for drug users has been developed. This tool focuses on the HIV prevention and care and covers all levels of public health services from low-threshold services to special-ized ones which are based on WHO/ UN documents. A multi-disciplinary national expert group used this tool while working on the stan-dardization of the regula-tory/protocol field in public health and social protection for target groups of the population.

In turn, the Technical Working Group on HIV prevention among injecting drug users led by UNODC has actively participated in reviewing and discussing the prepared materials for low-threshold services (syringes exchange program and Trust Points). After that, the materials were submit-ted to the National AIDS Center/Ministry of Health for further consid-eration and integration into the na-tional documents and standards.

UNODC

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

30a, Abdulla Kahhor Street 100100, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Tel : (+998 71) 120 80 50 Fax: (+998 71) 120 62 90

Web: www.unodc.org/centralasia